Bigger, Better, Bolder

God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

We all have clothes in our closets, which by today's "fads" are outdated and just totally behind the times. We have shoes, well-worn and comfortable, but definitely yesterday's fashion statement. Car manufacturers change some features on our favorite cars each year, not because they have to, but they know they won't sell new ones if the old was all they promoted. Nothing seems to last like it once did. My parents were used to buying products "back in the day" when the parts were guaranteed for years and years. Now, if we find something with a twelve-month warrantee we think this is a good deal! Isn't it good to know in the constant "changeableness" of our world there is one thing which remains constant? God lasts. Think that one through a bit. There are a whole lot of pulls on our heart to attach ourselves to something or someone who really cannot live up to the consistency, continuity, and completeness of our God. None will outlast him! He doesn't come and go. If we have ever felt like he has, it is more likely we have left the place of attentiveness toward him rather than the other way around!

He is bigger, more powerful, more awesome than even your wildest imagination. I have a pretty active imagination - something I think he blessed me with. I can dream big and think "outside the box", but even the biggest of my dreams has limits. There is no moment in time when he is inattentive to our needs. We need time to catch our breath, because we tire and become worn down by what life brings. God is constantly creating and holding together everything - no moment in time is without his attentive watchfulness. Did you ever stop to consider what would happen if God just let his mind wander a little?  Nothing, absolutely nothing, is without his attentive care - including each one of us - so he doesn't let his mind wander one bit! The creator knows his creation. God knows us as our Creator - knowing perfectly well the symbiotic relationship of our parts. No hair is uncounted, no twitch of a muscle is without a purpose. In knowing the symbiotic relationship of the individual "parts" of our lives, doesn't it make sense he'd also know how to best keep these "parts" in the right relationship? What we fail to see is how he is always guiding the "parts" to work as a whole - body, spirit, mind - all in symbiotic relationship. Any part which seeks to operate outside of this relationship, he directs his (and our) attention toward. Don't resist the attentive focus of the creator - he is really just trying to put things back into the place of symbiosis!

There is power in his name. I think this is what is reflected in him giving energies to the tired, strength to the weak. We have seen the evolution of "fuel" foods like "Power Bars" and "Monster" drinks to "energize" those who need to remain physically active and attentive, but who don't stop for a long enough time to take in a meal. We have seen the constant introduction of energy drinks, but now there are 'liquid IV' solutions you can consume because people want to keep going at the speed of light, recover their bodies quickly, and get back on track right away when not feeling up to speed. We have such a hard time just coming to a "full stop" and seeing God's power poured into us in those moments of stillness. Yet, nothing artificial will ever replenish like the real thing! The only way to get God's refreshing is to actually be still long enough to enjoy it! Just sayin!